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Williams, 33, was charged with three felony
counts of strangulation, one felony count of assault with a
deadly weapon and one felony count of coercion. She also is
charged with four misdemeanor counts of domestic battery.
Justice of the Peace Rebecca Saxe on Wednesday allowed Williams
to be released on her own recognizance and mandated her to
undergo alcohol monitoring and mental health counseling.
Williams, who cannot have contact with her alleged victim, has a
court appearance set for Aug. 2.
Saxe said Williams was charged after police said incidents
"occurred over an extended period of time." The alleged victim
was not identified.
"The Las Vegas Aces were made aware of domestic violence charges
against a member of our team, Riquna Williams," the team said in
statement Wednesday. "As an organization, we condemn domestic
violence of any kind. At this time, Riquna Williams will be
precluded from participating in team activities. Our thoughts
are with the parties involved in this situation. We are
currently gathering more information, and as such we will not
have any further comments at this time."
The WNBA stated that it was aware of the alleged incident and is
gathering more information.
Williams has not played this season because of a lower back
injury.
A second-round pick (17th overall) by the Tulsa Shock in the
2012 draft out of Miami, Williams has averaged 10.5 points, 2.2
rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 turnovers in 253 games
(90 starts) over 10 seasons with the Shock (2012-15), Los
Angeles Sparks (2017-20) and Aces (2021-present).
While with the Sparks in 2019, the WNBA suspended her for 10
games after a domestic violence incident in her native Florida
involving a then-ex-girlfriend. Williams was arrested on felony
charges, which were dismissed in 2020.
Saxe and Ryan Bashor, her public defender on Wednesday, said
Williams had no criminal convictions.
Williams made the league's 2012 All-Rookie team, was the 2013
Sixth Woman of the Year with the Shock, a 2015 All-Star and a
member of the 2022 champion Aces.
--Field Level Media
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